APAARI hosted the 5th Working Group Meeting of the CGIAR’s Germplasm Health Units (GHUs) from 19th to 24th April 2022. The event organized by CGIAR International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA) as part of the CGIAR Genebank Platform, managed by the CROP TRUST, was attended by 25 participants, including the Heads of the Units and the key actors of GHUs of the 11 CGIAR Institutes. The deliberations revolved around review and progress of work in the GHUs, transition from CGIAR Platform to One CGIAR Genebanks Initiative, increasing its efficiency by cross-center exchange of innovations and technology, enhancing cost recovery mechanisms, and facilitating the germplasm exchange by formalizing the GreenPass mechanism with global agencies like FAO/IPPC. Recommendations were made to strengthen cross-center collaborations, develop a Communication and Partnership Strategy for enhancing the visibility of Germplasm Science, and advocacy, sensitization, and capacity building of NPPOs in handling germplasm during exchange quarantine. A work plan for 2022-2024 was also developed during this meeting. This workshop helped the establishment of linkages with APPARI and the Asia-Pacific Seed Association (APSA). Among various action plans includes the development of a partnership and communication strategy for GHUs, which is key for this One CGIAR program that engages with diverse stakeholders, especially national plant protection organizations, to deliver its mission of ensuring the safe exchange of germplasm for safeguarding food security.

Please find the workshop agenda here

For more information about the CGIAR Genebanks, visit here